Summary Suspension feeders play an important role in ecosystems, converting phytoplankton to biomass and, as prey, providing energy available to higher trophic levels. Presence of sand crabs indicates a beach with sufficient nutrient inputs and size of the beach populations may be related to near-shore richness. Sand crab populations are generally robust and may vary with climatic and oceanographic conditions. Razor clams are one of thelongest-lived organisms in the sandy intertidal so they may integrate ecosystem conditions over long time-frames. Focal species: sand crabs and razor clams General Information Sustainability Goal Goal 5. Protect and enhance environmental conditions by improving watershed, floodplain, and aquatic condition and processes. Domain Ecosystem Health = The condition of natural system, including terrestrial systems interacting with aquatic systems through runoff pathways.
